Don was born and raised in Fairbanks along with family from Rampart. He taught K-12 for six years before coming to Denali Center as a social worker. Don was honored by the Alaska Federation of Natives with their Presidential Award for Health in recognition of health-related service to our elders. In 2007, the Alaska Alliance for Direct Service Careers named Don, Alaska’s Outstanding Direct Service Professional of the Year. Don has served as the appointed Facility Representative to the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees since 2005.